Chapter 83: Dowry

The Ji family had been searching for Gu Yalan for days without any news. Ji Changfeng furrowed his brows in worry. Jiang Huaijin poured his grandfather a cup of water.

“Grandpa, stop looking. She’s probably dead by now. Where else are you going to search?”

Ji Changfeng gently patted his head, feeling comforted. “Jin is so good, always thinking about grandpa.”

No, the person is really dead. You should stop looking.

Shen Yunhe stared thoughtfully at his son. Could it be…?

That night, everyone had gone to sleep. Shen Yunhe entered his son’s room. Jiang Huaijin was sitting on the bed, playing with a puzzle.

“Jin, tell me, is Gu Yalan still alive?”

Jiang Huaijin looked up and smiled faintly. “She did bad things, and a bird ate her. It ate her very cleanly!”

Shen Yunhe felt a sharp pain in his heart, his gaze heavy. His son’s illness couldn’t be delayed any longer.

“Good boy, it’s very late. It’s time to sleep.”

“Okay.”

Shen Yunhe covered him with the blanket, and as he opened the door, a voice came from behind him. “Dad, I’m so happy. I’ve finally let go of that heavy burden.”

A tear slipped from the corner of Shen Yunhe’s eye. He understood what his son meant, and it hurt so much he could hardly breathe. His throat felt tight with panic.

Back in the bedroom, he lay on the bed, troubled by thoughts. Jiang Banyue jumped onto him, wrapping her arms around him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Gu Yalan is dead. Jin killed her.”

Jiang Banyue froze for a moment. “Really?”

Shen Yunhe sat up in bed. “We must go back quickly. We need to see Meng Xi. Jin’s illness can’t be delayed any longer.”

“Okay.”

——————

Ji Wanting returned to the Ji family. Ji Old Madam had regained her spirits and bought her daughter various skincare products and clothes.

“Mother, I’m already this old. I don’t need these things.”

“How can you not need them? No matter the age, a woman should always take good care of herself. Just look at your hands, so rough.”

Ji Old Madam took a box of lotion and gently applied it to her daughter’s hands, her heart aching.

“It’s all my fault for not taking good care of you, making you suffer all these years. You should have lived a life of luxury and wealth.”

“Mother, I’m doing well, really. My husband works with big trucks outside, and he gives all the money to me. Every time he comes back, he brings gifts for me and the children. He treats me so well.

All I need to do is take care of the kids at home. We have a big house, a few acres of land, and some chickens. It’s very peaceful in the countryside, and the air is good. I’ll bring you there to live in your old age.”

“Good, I’ll go with you. As long as you don’t mind me being a bother.”

Ji Wanting hugged her elderly mother, her hair now gray.

“How could I mind? I’ll be happy. I’m over fifty now, and still have a mother. Who would see that and not envy me?”

Ji Old Madam opened a redwood cabinet, taking out two boxes and handing them to her daughter.

“Open them and see.”

Ji Wanting opened one box, revealing three property deeds for a courtyard house in the capital. The other box contained many pieces of jewelry.

“Mother,” Ji Wanting looked at her mother in surprise. Ji Old Madam smiled.

“These are your dowry, a supplement from me. You deserve them. You can keep them for yourself or pass them on to your children.”

“Okay, I’ll accept them. Thank you, Mother.”

Ji Old Madam took off a jade bracelet from her wrist.

“Give this to your daughter-in-law, it’s a gift from me, as her grandmother.”

“Mother, this is too precious.”

Ji Wanting remembered the bracelet—it was part of Old Madam Ji’s dowry, something she had worn for many years.

“Take it, it’s just a bracelet after all!”

“Okay, I’ll thank you on behalf of my daughter-in-law.”

Old Madam Ji took out a jade necklace.

“Give this to Yunshuang. Listen, she’s about to get engaged. Add this to her dowry.”

Ji Wanting chuckled. “She’s come back for such a short while, and already she’s nearly emptied all of your treasures!”

“Who’s treasures? I still have plenty. Everything from now on is for you all.”

The prominent families in the capital heard that Ji Wanting had returned and came to congratulate her, whether genuinely or not. Old Madam Ji didn’t mind, accepting all the greetings with a smile.

Due to her age, Old Madam Ji couldn’t handle much strain, so she massaged her back and instructed the younger generation,

“From now on, if anyone else comes looking, just close the door and don’t let them in. If this continues, these old bones of mine won’t last much longer.”

Ji Wanting sighed, “Maybe I’ve gotten used to the peaceful life in the countryside. It’s too noisy here.”

Shen Yunhe still had less than ten days of vacation. He had been thinking of taking their son to see a psychologist, while Shen’s father also wanted to take the car and haul some goods. Ji Wanting sensed their intentions.

“Mother, we’ve been here for a while now. The kids have their own things to do, and we should go back.”

“What! You’re leaving now?” Old Madam Ji didn’t want to part with her daughter and immediately started crying. Ji Wanting, feeling heartbroken, hugged her mother.

“Mother, don’t be like this. I’ll come back to see you after a while.”

Old Madam Ji wanted to go with them. “Yunshuang is about to get engaged. After that, she’ll get married. As her grandmother, I should be there. I’ll stay until after her wedding and then come back!”

“What!” Ji Changfeng was startled. “Mother, you’re already eighty years old. Don’t go through such trouble!”

“Yes, Mother. I’ll visit you whenever I can.”

Everyone started to persuade Old Madam Ji, but she was determined to go with them.

“I’ve been separated from my daughter for over thirty years. I’m so old now, who knows how many more years I have left. The rest of my days, I just want to spend them with my daughter. Is that too much to ask?”

“I agree. Mother, come live with me. I’ll take care of you in your old age.” Ji Wanting hugged her mother and cried.

Ji Yunfeng spoke up, “Grandmother, I’ll drive you and Aunt back. On the way, we can take it slow, and let them take the train back.”

“Alright!” Old Madam Ji laughed happily. “Don’t forget to bring my medicine.”

Everyone looked at her helplessly. Old Madam Ji sighed.

“I’ve lived eighty years. I’m old now. Just let me be a little spoiled this time.”

Shen Yunhe went to the train station to buy a few tickets and took the whole family on the train. Ji Yunfeng drove, taking his grandmother and aunt.

When the train arrived, Shen Yunhe took his wife and children home. Shen Yunlin went back to work, and Shen Father took his daughter, Shen Yunshuang, back to the village.

Shen Yunhe left Jiang Huairou and Jiang Huaiyu at Jiang Mu’s house, and with Jiang Banyue and their eldest son, went to find Meng Xi.

On the way, Jiang Huaijin curiously asked, “Dad, Mom, where are we going?”

Shen Yunhe asked him,

“Son, have you been feeling really tired lately, mentally exhausted?”

“Yes, I don’t know why. Every time I wake up, I feel very tired.” Jiang Huaijin was confused.

“It might be mental fatigue. I’ll take you to see a doctor.”

“Okay.” Jiang Huaijin trusted his parents completely and never doubted their words.

Shen Yunhe smiled and reassured him, “Don’t be afraid. Mom and Dad will always be here with you.”

“Okay, I’m not afraid.”